The Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) addresses emergency food needs in the Greater Lansing area. The GLFB coordinates, funds, and supports local food pantries, shelters, and community kitchens. Through its Food Movers program we rescue perishable food and distribute to shelters, community kitchens, senior housing, subsidized housing and other places in our community where there is a need for food. Our Garden Project supports community gardens and low income residential gardens with seeds, plants, information and expertise. It also organizes a substantial gleaning program at MSU and other community farms.

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Prepared Food Rescue

Posted on August 11, 2017 - Updated on August 11, 2017

Steak bits will be combined into a meal for families in need.

Have you ever gone to a restaurant and wondered what happens to prepared, unused and edible food at the end of the night? Back in 1992, concerned community members asked the same question, and a key component of Greater Lansing Food Bank’s prepared food rescue operation was born.

Twenty-five years later, GLFB still picks up prepared food from restaurants, catered events, and bakeries. When too much food is prepared to be eaten or sold by our partners, GLFB rescues it from being thrown in the trash. Last year, GLFB saved more than 114,000 pounds of prepared food and delivered it directly to our agencies (at no cost to them) who can serve it to families, veterans and seniors.

Food is either “ready to eat” or combined in new ways depending on the types of food donated and the capacity of the agency kitchen or shelter we deliver it to. Many of our partner kitchens are scheduled take deliveries at least once a week, and there’s often excitement among our clients about what type of food we have on hand.

When possible, we try to match the rescued food with the preferences of the partner kitchen. One agency has clients that love salads, soups and vegetables that can be served that evening. Another agency has a much more structured menu that is planned in advance. This community kitchen freezes food until there is enough to recombine enough of it into a new meal.